When I founded Quarry over a decade ago, I wanted to create a web development agency that did things differently and truly understood businesses across various industries. An external agency that operated as seamlessly as an in-house dev team – with better results and a deeper bench of experts.

Our team has worked with everyone from e-commerce startups to major financial institutions,  and what sets us apart is our experience – both as an external partner and working alongside in-house teams. 

Having worked on both sides – we truly understand the pros and cons of each approach. Let’s explore why outsourcing might be the right choice for your web development needs.

The Problem with an Internal Team vs. External Team

We all know the feeling: You’re staring at your product roadmap, that knot in your stomach growing. Your dev team is maxed out, deadlines are looming, and your competitor just launched that feature you’ve been planning for months. We’ve all been there – that moment when you realize you need more hands on deck, but the thought of hiring, budgeting, and training makes your head spin.

It’s a question that often leaves organizations torn between building an in-house team from the ground up or hiring external developers. (And yes, concerns about cost, quality, and project timelines tend to dominate these discussions.) 

But there are other issues here.

Admit it – you’re not sure you can trust an external vendor. There is a lot to fear – loss of control over the development process, unknown costs, no visibility into the day-to-day, and maybe worse of all – the external teams won’t truly understand your company culture and vision.

While the desire to maintain oversight of your dev process is strong – there are many hidden costs to building an in-house team. 

From hiring and training to equipment and benefits, in-house teams are expensive. Plus, they often struggle to maintain cutting-edge skills and can’t scale quickly when needed. Your roadmap becomes inflexible, making it hard to pivot with market demands.

What Happens When Things Go Sideways?

Not long ago, we encountered a mid-sized e-commerce company planning to revamp their website and add new features. They were at a crossroads, faced with hiring a team or outsourcing with Quarry.

Initially, they decided to build an in-house development team. They were excited to have full control over the process and felt like the in-person collaboration would go a long way. 

But, they quickly ran into hurdles. The hiring process dragged on for months. Finding candidates with the right mix of skills proved challenging, and costs started mounting in unexpected ways.

As project timelines began to slip, the CEO grew increasingly concerned. Features they had hoped to launch were still in the planning stages and they were falling behind the competition.

That’s when they reached out to Quarry. We quickly assembled a selection of our fractional experts, tailored to their specific needs. Within weeks, we had the project back on track. We brought in specialists for each aspect of the development, from UX design to backend integration.

The result? The site launched on time with all planned features intact – leading to a significant boost in revenue and the project paid for itself, even those costly mistakes at the beginning.

The Power of Quarry’s External Team

 That fear of losing control? We get it. That’s why we’ve built our entire process around transparency and collaboration. With us you’re getting:

Cost-effectiveness: When you break down the costs, external teams often prove more economical than in-house teams. You save on recruitment, training, benefits, and overhead costs associated with full-time employees.

Diverse, Fractional Expertise: External teams like ours bring together specialists in so many areas – front-end, back-end, UX, and more. And Quarry is able to deliver at every stage of the product lifecycle, from planning through delivery and maintenance. This broad skill set allows us to tackle complex projects efficiently, drawing on a deep bench of expertise for each aspect of development.

Flexibility: One of the most significant advantages we offer is the ability to scale our team up or down based on project needs. This flexibility not only saves costs but also dramatically improves project timelines.

Focus: By outsourcing development to the experts (that’s us!), our clients can concentrate on primary business goals. You are freed from the complexities of managing a development team or making decisions on which tech to use, allowing you to focus on you own zone of genius.

Staying Current: At Quarry, we stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and best practices. This means our clients always have access to cutting-edge solutions without the burden of continuous training or hiring multiple outside consultants.

Cultural Integration: We don’t just parachute in with solutions. We take time to understand your company culture, values, and goals. Many clients tell us we feel more like an extension of their team than an outside vendor.

Knowledge Transfer: Everything we build comes with thorough documentation and training. We ensure your internal team understands not just what we built, but why we built it that way.

Choosing the right external partner is crucial. Look for experience, strong communication skills, and cultural fit. Don’t hesitate to ask potential partners about their processes, past projects, and how they handle challenges.

Effective collaboration is key to success with an external team. We’ve found that clear communication, regular check-ins, and open feedback loops are essential. It’s about creating a partnership, not just a “vendor relationship”.

Why Outsourcing with Quarry Wins

When we look at the numbers, the savings are often substantial. You’re not just saving on salaries, but also on benefits, equipment, office space, and ongoing training. Plus, the ability to scale your team up or down as needed means you’re only paying for the resources you actually use. 

Our specialized expertise often leads to overall better output. We bring best practices from across different industries, applying new technologies and proven methods. This typically results in more robust, user-friendly products. 

By taking development off your plate, we free up your internal resources. This allows you to focus on what you do best – growing your business, refining your strategy, and staying ahead of market trends. Maximize your team’s impact where it matters most.

We often say that once you bring us on, we’ll cut years off your product roadmap. External teams like ours often work more efficiently due to our established processes and diverse experience. We’re not learning on the job – we hit the ground running. This efficiency can give you a significant competitive edge, allowing you to respond to market demands more quickly.

Plus, these benefits compound over time. The decision to outsource development is all about strategically positioning your business for growth and success. As your partnership with Quarry deepens, we become an extension of your team, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to each new challenge.

Ready to Accelerate Your Development Timeline?

You might be wondering about the state of your own web development projects. Are you confident in your current approach and timelines?

Don’t let internal constraints hold your business back. Take the first step towards truly efficient and effective web development.

Schedule your free consultation with Quarry. Let’s explore how we can cut years off your roadmap, reduce costs, and deliver high-quality products that drive your business forward.